Since its invention, the motorcycle has been seen as a symbol of freedom, innovation, power, and style. These qualities led to its enthusiastic embrace in America, where it experienced a fertile period of technological evolution between the turn of the twentieth century and the Great Depression. While the names Harley-Davidson and Indian are the most familiar when it comes to motorcycle manufacturing in America, there were actually more than 300 companies building motorcycles in the United States during this pioneer era. Most of these marques only had brief lifespans, but they contributed new concepts in engineering, style, and manufacturing that helped the motorcycle develop from a primitive contraption to a sophisticated machine.

Appreciating the attitude of independence and inventiveness that motorcycles embody, Professor Richard Bunch began collecting these vehicles in his teens when he bought his first Harley-Davidson Sportster. He soon became fascinated with early American motorcycles in particular, due to their rich history of innovation that exemplifies this country’s trailblazing spirit. He is especially drawn to machines that were ahead of their time. Over the past four decades, Bunch and his curator, Donald Whalen, have acquired nearly 200 of the rarest and most advanced-for-their-day early American motorcycles. This exhibition highlights some of the most unique and important examples from this one-of-a-kind collection.